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Royals sweep Rockets in two-game WHL weekend set

The Royals move within a point of Kelowna in playoff race
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Victoria Royals’ Austin Zemlak keeps the puck from Kelowna Rockets’ Turner McMillen at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on Saturday night. ADRIAN LAM, TIMES COLONIST

VICTORIA 6-KELOWNA 3

The Victoria Royals celebrated Lunar New Year with an eclipse of the Kelowna Rockets. The Royals, wearing special third jerseys celebrating the Island Chinese community, defeated the Rockets 6-3 before 4,371 fans Saturday night at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

The Royals, combined with Friday’s 4-0 victory, swept the Rockets to move within a point of Kelowna, which holds the eighth and final playoff slot in the WHL Western Conference, although the Okanagan club holds two games in hand.

The sweep was sweet for Royals forward Jake Poole, who was traded from Kelowna to Victoria early this season. Poole had four assists in the two weekend games against his former club. The 20-year-old has blossomed on the Island and has 44 points to lead the Royals.

“It’s extra motivation,” Poole said of the games against his former Rockets teammates.

“I didn’t know what to expect when I came here but it’s been awesome and I got a lot of opportunity here, and I didn’t want to waste it because it’s my last chance for a pro contract.”

Heading in, Poole added: “This weekend is big for playoff points.”

The post-season is the hoped-for destination of the surging Royals (12-25-4), who have won four of five games to start the New Year.

“I played [for Kelowna] against Seattle in the playoffs last year and the atmosphere is huge,” said Poole.

He wouldn’t mind a repeat of that in Victoria livery.

Czech world junior championship silver medallist Robin Sapousek played his second game since joining the Royals and scored his first goal for the club.

“[Sapousek] is skilled and super-fast, and is a good defensive centre, as well,” Poole said of his new teammate.

Recently acquired WHL veteran goaltender Braden Holt made 27 saves and is an undefeated (5-0-1) in his six starts for Victoria since being traded from the Everett Silvertips.

Matthew Hodson led Victoria with two goals Saturday on a three-point night while Sapousek, Riley Gannon, Alex Edwards and Tanner Scott scored the other goals. Max Graham replied twice for Kelowna.

Graham gave Kelowna the lead before Hodson tied it to end the first period 1-1.

“That was a big momentum shift,” said Hodson.

The power plays were effective with Victoria connecting twice, and Kelowna three times for all its scoring.

The Rockets (13-23-3) lost for the 10th time in 11 games but were without injured WHL second-leading scorer Andrew Cristall, the No. 16-ranked North American skater for the 2023 draft, and have traded away captain and Chicago Blackhawks-prospect and Canadian junior team world gold medallist Colton Dach to the championship-minded Seattle Thunderbirds for future draft picks.

Victoria was also required to use its depth.

Missing were NHL San Jose Sharks-signed captain Gannon Laroque, the blueliner who only recently returned after a lengthy absence due to surgery in the summer, and the ever-dangerous forward Brayden Schuurman.

The Royals embark on a four-game road trip beginning Wednesday in Tri-City, Washington, against the Americans and continuing Friday in Portland against the Winterhawks, next Saturday in Spokane against the Chiefs and next Sunday in Kelowna against the Rockets.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com